THE countdown has begun for a major new sporting event which organisers hope will bring a cash boost into Lln.

Preparations are in full swing for the inaugural Pwllheli Triathlon which will take place on Sunday, March 7, with around a 100 athletes expected to take part.

The event will incorporate a 400 metre swim at the town’s Dwyfor Leisure Centre with a 12 mile bike ride through neighbouring villages of Chwilog and Y Ffôr.

Participants will then have to run three miles along the town’s Prom and back towards the leisure centre to reach the finish line.

Around 50 people have already signed up for the event with more expected to sign up in the run up to the event.

Organisers have set up a page on the social networking site Facebook to drum up support for the triathlon and proceeds will go to the British Heart Foundation.

Chairman of the triathlon committee Delyth Davies said: “We hope the event will bring people into Pwllheli to support the local economy.

“The event is being organised to bring people together to take part, to work towards a goal and to have fun at the same time.

“I decided a while back that I was going to trek to Everest base camp this March.

“None of my friends fancied coming with me but they said they’d help raise money for the charity.

“We have already held a couple of fundraising events, a five-a-side game and I ran a half marathon in Cardiff recently, but this will be the main fundraising activity.”

Committee member Elgan Rowlands said: “We’ve been very happy with the interest shown in the event.

“We hope to get 100 people to take part this year.”

To kick start their fundraising efforts, organisers of the triathlon received a bursary through the Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd Venture project, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government, as well as contributions from Gwynedd Council, Menter a Busnes and the Welsh Language Board.

They have also arranged a special night of entertainment called Twrw Triathlon which will take place at the Pwllheli Rugby Club on Saturday, February 27, featuring local bands.

Committee member Bethan Williams said: “We hope to develop upon the event in 2011, with more participants, opportunities for the under 16s and a music event in the evening.”

Fellow committee member David Lloyd Williams said: “Without the support and the funding from the Llwyddo yn Ngwynedd Venture scheme, this would have been impossible.”

For more information or to get hold of an application form visit www.triathlon-pwllheli.com.